My Jabez Journey

A Revealed Word Today

2006-09-30T16:36:00.000-04:00

I was watching the current week's installment of "Saturday's With Mark and Tony" over at www.marklowry.com today. Y'all really need to be getting into these lessons.

In this week's session, a word came from Tony Campolo that really nailed my heart:

"You cannot live out the Great Commission until first you live out the Great Commandment!"

Soli Deo Gloria!

Effective Prayer Leads To an Effective Life!

2006-07-08T03:17:00.000-04:00

I am returning to the core purpose of the online interactive study activity "Effective Prayer". This is a story which demonstrates that purpose.

Subject: She made a difference

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to revieweach child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a
ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well
liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a
terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on
him.He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and
his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't
show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."

After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very
day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she
began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to
Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her
that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things
had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and
would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had
ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer....The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy,you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Can one person make a difference in one life? If you asked Dr. Stoddard, I believe his answer would be "Yes!" Whose effective prayers counted? To whose account will faithfulness be credited, Mrs. Thompson, or Teddy Stoddard? Explain your response.

Where Did Zero Week Go?

2006-01-09T15:36:00.000-05:00

The site is up and testing. The lessons are being written, and added as I go. And... Where Did Zero Week Go??

The entire lesson, posted to the site, just completely disappeared! No idea how, why, anything. Luckily, I have backups (Trust, but verify!). I re-posted it last night.

I think the site will be ok, but it's really not very user friendly at the moment. A word about that.

There is a lot of animosity right now out here on the Internet. People are mad at everybody, for just about everything. The security on the site is not only to avoid malcontent attacks, but to protect the site's members and students as well. In time, if we can show that the measures are too extreme, we will certainly relax them a bit.

It's funny in a way. In order to make a new Forum really work, you have to advertise it wherever you can. If you advertise well, and effectively, people will come. But some of the people who come only wish ill on any such endeavor. And so the circle continues, and grows.

Hopefully, we will maintain an excellent site that is active, vibrant, and well-attended.

Soli Deo Gloria!

There's A Lot of Freshness Goin' On 'Round Here!

2006-01-04T04:07:00.000-05:00

The freshness is nothing more than an overwhelming need to be fresh with the course. I am working very hard to get the site up with at least two lessons for the next week.

I am reviewing old course materials, and they are not suiting my purposes at this time. In time, when I have a month or two's worth of hours, I will archive most of my writing from the courses in the site Library. (It really WILL be a Library if I do it right!) This is, of course, nothing less than idle fancy--to think of this internet as perpetuity.

Maine is on my agenda for this week. Leaving out in the morning for Thursday 2300 delivery. Should put me back here for only a few hours on Sunday, then running like the wind for a couple of weeks.

Pray hard, my beloved Warriors.

In His Grip,

Bud

Visit your new forum!
M. B. "Bud" Fields, Jr. DMA
Site Administrator

What Does That Wierd Looking Signature Mean?

2006-01-02T22:11:00.000-05:00

I am learning much, about much.

I have become a "Board Pro", and have learned about creating, setting up, designing, including format and content, and administering a public Forum Board. As many of you are aware, there are gazillions of them out there in the Internet. What you may not know is that several of them have my name on them as "Site Administrator". That sounds quite the title, doesn't it?

What it translates to, is that I'm the idiot that thought it would be a good idea to set up a website and invite total strangers to come and participate in my life.

Between my several interests, I have managed to set up several blogs (like the one you are reading now), several websites that I have developed, which highlight everything from prayer to music to writing to politics to trucking.

My life has been blessed with such a joy for learning, and exploring, that I do not think there is a single place, even in the vastness of the Internet, that can hold me this side of Heaven.

This side of heaven.

How do we get to the "other" side of Heaven? What will that moment be like, as we actually do make the journey across the river Jordan?

What will we experience in that flash of a moment? Will we recognize it?

I have said, and have believed all my life that there is not any power on this Earth that can be stronger, more effective, or longer lasting than effective prayer. Prayer, to me, is like sending a brilliant beam of God's own energy back to Him. And, the more effective the prayer is, the brighter the light shining into Heaven. There is a lot of darkness out there, too. Not only created, but sustained by those who--for whatever reason--have stopped praying. So, do we notice the darkness, or the bright variations of the light emanating from the hearts and souls of simple people?

I wondered what it must look like to God Himself. Do the Angels feel the brightness of the lights which are generated by powerful prayer? Do those who have gone before us, and who have yet to make the initial journey to this place, still in Heaven singing Dad's Praises feel the powerful rushing wind of effective prayer?

These thoughts were kind of sitting around in my brain as I was perusing the literally thousands of graphics available to me as a member of this forum - hosting site. And, as only I could do it, I skipped around mercilessly. The last example, on the last page, was the genesis of what has become the signature for this site. Thirteen hours of paging through everything from Halo2 to Pro Football, and even Angel examples with no spark.

And, as if Dad was answering the prayer of my heart, I saw it. And the name was already in it, to my eyes. It was immediate, certain, and final. THIS is how it looks, to those who inhabit Heaven. Some darkness, some dim, and some brilliant as 1,000 Suns, all streaming up to Heaven. Through the infiniteness of space, they beam toward the very throneroom of the Creator. Warmth, light, and goodness permeate INTO Heaven from the hearts and souls of those who know the way across the Chasm. And, it felt just wonderfully good to me.

The task for a total n00b (that's newbie to you still in the world of the sane) was to get it, use it, put information on it, save it, translate it into a file the hosting service could use, and get it up online.

Thirteen hours of searching. Twenty-two hours of manipulation through five different programs, and less than 10 minutes to get it where it was supposed to go. I wanted to tell you that I had quite the tough time getting the words onto the picture.

Countless attempts with different fonts, colors, and effects yielded only one result: frustration.
I stopped and went, finally, to bed with the feeling that I just didn't have what this task required. I talked to Dad about that before I went to sleep. And, once again, the issue wasn't the font. It was me. "I will show you!" Just kept pouring into my mind over and over again...until as I was going to sleep, I knew that it would be okay.

Today, in less than 10 minutes, and I promise you not of my doing, the screen on my monitor blinked, and there it was. I had (finally) learned the importance of saving every step in any kind of graphics maneuver (read that as several wasted hours), and saved the image as quickly as I could. To me, it was not the perfect siggi. But it was perfect for the site, and totally incorporated everything the site is supposed (as far as I know) to be about.

The font was an amazing surprise. The course does, as you may know, rely heavily on writing. The Personal Prayer Journal is still the central figure in the cast of characters that make up the course. And, when I found the one font, it didn't even look very good on the Word Page. But, I took a shot of it, anyway. I figured I could just put each one onto the picture, and play with it until I had what I wanted.

There were only two problems with that scenario.

1. I had no idea what I wanted. In fact, I truly realized that I would never get what I wanted. It's not about me! (You saw that coming, huh!)

2. I could have slapped exemplars on there til Heaven came down, and would have never gotten this combination.

I still don't know how the example of writing of that font wound up pointing up, rising on the wind of those prayers. And, yes, I am truly excited. Any time I get to see my Dad at work is a very exciting time. I look forward to some VERY exciting times at this site.

I hope you will join me there. I beg that you would pray for the site, and the people there. I seek your prayers that Dad would not only Bless it, but honor it with His presence. And, that His will alone would be done there. I pray that He alone would fill every space in it. And, I most fervently pray that His glory alone would be the result of it. Will you pray with me? Will you pray for this little project? Will you let your heart be given up, like a brilliant beam of light into the vastness of the Universe, and blister the walls of Heaven with your effective prayers?

Again, come join us. We'd love to see you there. I think Dad would, too.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Bud

Visit your new forum!
M. B. "Bud" Fields, Jr. DMA
Site Administrator

New Forum, New "Siggi"

2006-01-02T21:27:00.000-05:00

Visit your new forum!
M. B. "Bud" Fields, Jr. DMA
Site Administrator

Well, For those of you along with me on the journey,
this is the lastest stop along the road.
I had promised some time ago that I would be taking
the "Effective Prayer" online course to a place where
everyone could not only see it, but choose to participate.

Here it is.  The first course, entitled "Effective Prayer 101" has
the first two lessons finished.  As many of you will remember,
there is a "Zero Week" which is, actually, the first lesson.
So, Zero Week, and Lesson 1 are complete.

The site is still under construction, but I am going to
open it up soon.  It's still really primitive, but I think
it shows enough to let anyone interested know what to expect.
And it is, strangely enough, causing problems.

People keep trying to get in! YEAY, Dad!

I am hopeful, but just a little bit nervous at the same time.

If you have followed along the journey with me, you know that
there have been some pretty intense moments during the preparation
of this course.  And, there will be more of them.  I ask that you
simply pray with me through them, and that Dad's will for this
task will be completely accomplished, to His Glory alone.

It looks like ole Jabez just built himself another message stone!
I hope you will visit, and join.  You can be a member of the site,
and participate fully  with all the stuff going on.  You can also,
if you choose, enroll in the ever first online, interactive
(that I know of, anyway) study course on effective prayer.

It's not time sensitive.  The lessons have been broken down, and simplified.
More lessons to completion but who cares?  It's at your pace entirely.
I hope you will join in the fun. And don't be slow about letting me know
what you think about the site.  If there's something wrong, please tell me.
If there is something missing that you would love to see--tell me!  Be
one of the first to truly make a difference in the lives of the world.



Soli Deo Gloria!


Bud

P.S. My next post will discuss how the signature block ("siggi") came to be, and why it is what it is.

Re-Write of the Online Course Begins

2005-12-29T02:11:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I began the re-design of the site for the upcoming online, interactive study on Effective Prayer. I will also do rewrites on the course materials. With a full-time job and a projected launch date of 1/9/06, it is going to be a busy time.

The online course, in the previous format was limited on an FTP website in too many ways. Moving it to a Forum Board represents a much better opportunity, I believe. The site I am using is listed in the link at the top. Or you can find it here.

I now have the option of cutting the beginning course down into manageable sized pieces. There will doubtless be more lessons, but each lesson should be easier to comprehend, focused on a single topic/theme, and not require so much backround. The support materials can be housed on-site, and will not have to be included in the individual student emails. Chatting may not be nearly as significant to the success of the course, as posting messages with responses will, I believe, clearly show the effectiveness of the course.

I will publicly announce the course on the 9th of January. Whatever is up and clean at that point will be what we begin with. If it is not complete--oh well. It is going to be a productivity-related course, anyway. You must complete "A" before you can access "B". If "A" is all the student sees, then it doesn't matter that "E" isn't in the program yet.

I pray that this is the payoff for Dad, for all the time in development.

The Guestbook is, it seems, the only thing being spammed at the moment. I pray that it will remain that way for this Journal. I am really looking forward to sharing with you the aspects of the course from the developer's perspective. Please pray that God would use my small talent in a mighty way, and let it be true that "little is much, when God is in it!"

This Journal will pick up, as well. I have removed from the site the previous posts that had all the spam embedded in them. You could see comments, and 52 anonymous comments on one entry in one day was kind of intoxicating--for about 30 seconds. By the time I got through all the "five minutes" of fame for each one, however, I was not feeling really Christian about the entire process.

Which brings me, strangely enough, to one of the questions I have been pondering. I would love to hear your take on it. So post a comment, and let me know what you think, ok?

"Is evil necessary?"

Dad:

It's You, and me, except now we are doing website development and Forum hosting! Boy, we sure know how to take a meandering trail, don't we, Dad?

Be in this adventure, too Dad. And let it only be about you. Work in it to Your Glory alone, I sincerely pray. And, if it's possible, stay really close at hand as we begin THIS journey together, too.

I love you too, Dad.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Your kid,

Bud

Home from the Road for a while, I think

2005-05-28T21:25:00.000-04:00

Welcome!

I have been rolling up and down the highways and biways again. I continue to find hope and good will in the strangest places. From an Easter Morning Baptism in a creek behind a shipper in Buffalo, Texas, to one of the very best country cooking meals of my life in Winchester, Kentucky, I am gratified that, while the time in the wilderness may be closer to an end, there is sufficiency even there.

On another note:

I have decided to use this Journal as a laboratory for the Jabez Course. I will continue the journey, and I do invite any of you who read this little journal to walk along with me. If Dad Guides, Dad Provides! I know this from real life, recently. It is just so awesome to have a three-dimensional and undeniable proof of faith. And, if God will do such an amazing thing for one poor old broke-down sinner, saved by Grace, through Faith (ME!), then what will he do for you? Only God knows.

But, He DOES know. If you don't just ask Him. And, I'd stand back a little ways as He begins pouring down upon His child blessings of incalculable measure.

I thank those of you who have honored me by signing my Guestbook.

There is just so very much more to come. Do you have any ideas for how this little prayer journal might be better, or more efficiently used? Please comment.

In His Grip,

Unohu

A Note Between Trips

2005-03-08T22:49:00.000-05:00

Hello, My Fellow Travellers:

I am home for a day, after several days on the road. I have a question for you, as we continue the journey. I hope that you will comment, or send me an email to let me know.

Is the course helping you? Are you beginning to work toward effective prayer? If you are a course participant, you may do well to look at the group discussion thread on the Bible Study Message Board: There is a lesson, and an assignment for you there. We begin to take our study from the external considerations to the internal considerations.

I was wondering, as I was wandering this past week: How do you know that your prayer is effective? What does it look, feel, smell like? Do you know? Or, from the other side, do you know how it feels when your prayers are ineffective? Do you have a measuring stick to use, or a guide that will help you lean more to what works? Or is it just a habit you do?

In this week's lesson, I mentioned some Biblical heroes that had effective prayer lives. But, in each case, prayer was not the issue--relationship was. Jabez knew that, and prayed for a relationship with God that would be pleasing to God. But, as the lesson indicates, God's relationship with us is conditional. If we, then He. So, what is the part we must play?

Effective prayer is an imperative first step to that relationship. Once you understand that the relationship you are attempting to effect is with the God of Israel, and Him alone, then you must learn how to effectively communicate with him. How do you do that?

Well, I will give you some benchmarks that you may find helpful.

1. First of all, we must know who it is that God is.

The first weeks have really focused heavily on that truth. We must understand that it is the Creator of the Universe that we are seeking relationship with. And we must understand the rules of the game.

Have you ever in your life longed so strongly for a moment of God's time that it hurt?
I have. And, it was really painful. And, it lasted a very long time. I had to go through so many layers of who I was before I got to the point of needing to know who God is that I began to suffer from a fear that I would not live long enough to peel away all the layers to get to the point of being the me He created. Because, you see, that is who God desires relationship with. It is not the amazing "Me" that I have created that holds any interest for God. And, I didn't know even then just who that "Me" that God created was. I just knew that everything that wasn't got peeled away. It took some time, and it wasn't as much fun as a root canal. This is one reason why so many people just very simply do not do it. It hurts, a lot.

Your assignment this week is to begin that very process. You won't complete it. But you have to begin the process if you ever have any true desire to have an effective prayer life, much less a true relationship with God. It does get easier, but not first.

What I really want to tell you in this entry is something that I do truly hope will give you the will, the courage, and the commitment to begin this process of rompin' around "T'ween Town".

Answer this question honestly:

Do you truly desire an effective prayer life with God? Why?

Here is a platinum guaranteed secret to a successfully effective prayer life. You ready? You sure?

Grab your Bible, and take a look at some verses: Take a gander at who initiates, and who doesn't initiate the relationship with God:

Genesis 3:20-21
Genesis 16:1-13
1 Kings 3:5-13
Mark 6:7-13
Acts 12:1-17
Revelations 1:1;1:9-20

If you can come down to only one answer to the question above, and if that answer is "I don't know!", here you have some amazing truths offered to you:

1. Believe it or not, you do not initiate this desire-God does.
2. His desire is to have personal, practical, and real with you.
3. If you have this desire in your heart, be of good cheer! God is calling you into having a real, personal, practical relationship with Him.

God came to Adam and Eve. God came to Hagar. God came to Solomon. God came to the Disciples through Christ Jesus. God came to John on the Island of Patmos. Was God real, personal, and practical to them? Noah? Moses? Isaiah?

To you? Does God still come to his children today?

Yes! Yes! Yes! Does God love you? Yes! What love is not real, personal or practical? How much does God love you, today? He has initiated a desire for relationship with you--in you! But the idea of this relationship requires two real beings. Prayer that is truly effective will result in you not only having a desire that God would reveal Himself to you, but that He would reveal the real nature of your relationship with Him, as well. But, that is for another lesson.

I hope you will at least begin the assignment for this week. And, stay tuned to http://kybudman.blogspot.com for audioblog posts from the road.

Please pray for me as I, once again, travel the highways and biways of America with Dad. Who knows, maybe we will be near your town! Believe me, Dad knows and He doesn't tell me much in advance. So it could be a wonderful surprise for us both. I'd love to meet you, spend some quality time, and maybe even a prayer with you.

In the meantime, remember that Jabez has much to show us, and teach us. Keep your heart open, your mind clear, and your relationship fresh!

In His Grip,

Bud Fields

A Note to the Course Participants

2005-02-23T15:28:00.000-05:00

My Jabez Journey

Good Afternoon, my friends and fellow sojourners in effective prayer.
I have posted in the discussion thread at our home site the lesson, and the assignment for this week.

I know that the first few lessons have been extremely lengthy, and probably somewhat intimidating. The reason, as I tried to explain at the beginning, was compound:

1. This is a complicated course of study, because it is a complicated topic. Every Christian knows "about" prayer. It's one of those terms that we throw around all the time, like a buzz word inside our little community. And, if what you came away with so far is that feeling--good! Prayer, by itself, is one of the most discussed topics in the Bible. But, doesn't that mean it seems to be important? And, if it is so very important that it gets so much press in God's Word, isn't it something we should "really get down" right?

2. The prayer of Jabez is an example of not prayer, but rather effective prayer. That is why we use the verses, and Dr. Wilkinson's book as our text. The goal of this little course is to lead us all towards not only real prayer, but, really effective prayer. This is a step up from the real prayer, and requires some growing on all our parts. This is a request to seek God on His terms, daily. That alone is an intimidating thought to many of us, who for whatever reason have not even thought about a truly daily walk with God. The implications are many, and the significance is eternal. So, we should spend some time preparing ourselves for the responsibilities we are seeking.

Effective prayer doesn't just change the way you pray. Effective prayer changes the way you live, for all eternity. Ponder this thought for a moment. This is the goal we are asking to obtain from the very God of Israel. We really should be somewhat, at least, aware of what we are asking, and what we are expected by God to take on when we are given His Blessing to this request. As many ways as Dr. Wilkinson tries to show us this truth, it still eludes many of us. So, I am trying to show in yet one different way how very important effective prayer is, to you, now.

The lesson this week is all on you, my friends. Before we take a close look at the four parts of the little prayer of Jabez, I would like to encourage you to look at the prayer in its complete form. There is no lengthy written lesson text to wade through. And, probably won't be for some time. This is now the part of the course where, having done a survey of the "external" (eternal) implications of effective prayer, we must now go whistling merrily into ourselves. We must come to terms with the "internal" (temporal) matters that hinder our prayer life. We must get to the point where our internal issues are not binding, but embracing. We do not "qualify" for being effective prayer warriors. Every prayer can be either effective, or ineffective and flying blissfully into the chasm of what could have been.

This week, I hope you will take seriously the lesson assignment. I know it is going to be difficult for me, but I am committed to the task. Why?

Effective prayer yields amazing results, my friend. And, I could really use some effective prayer results right about now. I hope you could, too. I cannot move from where I am to where I am supposed to be without effective prayer at this point in my life. Jabez knew it, too. And what did God say about it?

Good luck, and may you, this week, be Blessed, Indeed!

In His Grip,

Bud Fields

My Jabez Journey on the Road-Week 1

2005-02-22T04:36:00.000-05:00

My Jabez Journey on the Road-Week 1
My Jabez Journey

I learned several things this past eight days on the road.

It doesn't stay with you like riding a bike (but then, riding a bike didn't either!). Things you did before without thinking you now can't do thinking. Only six months out of the truck, and this past week was more learning than working. It was more difficult than I expected, and much, much more difficult than it had to be. But, by this past weekend, I was feeling sufficiently comfortable with my driving skills, habits, and schedule that I was able to take in the beauty of the Aurora Borealis in the North Woods of Wisconsin.

These past days also showed me that the Audioblogger number is not toll free, and cannot be accessed from just any telephone. (Sorry for the absence of info.)

I got to visit a lot of miles these past days, with stops in Mishawauka, Indiana; Jeffersonville, Indiana; Winston-Salem and Lexington and Salisbury, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; Maple Grove Minnesota; and back home to Clarksville, Indiana where the terminal is.

I drove in every type of weather, on virtually every type of road, both night and day. I slept in rest areas, truck stop parking lots, delivery parking lots, and on ramps beside the highway. I saw eight sunrises, and witnessed seven sunsets. And, every mile of the way, I felt the power and strength of the prayers of my friends here who lifted my poor, tired guardian angel's wings into overdrive many more times than once. Dad was with me, even when I wasn't so interested in being in the truck.

The "turn" was not uneventful, but without distress. And, that is, I must tell you, a first in a very long time. It was almost pleasureable. I will be home until midday Wednesday, then I will be chasing the miles for another week. I hope, at that time, to be able to report some better news.

But, in the scorecard of the trucker: No deaths, no accidents, no spilled freight, no upset customers, no wasted miles, and I got paid. Not bad. Not bad at all. Thanks, Dad. I know I was not the most willing servant this time out, but I do sincerely pray that You would fill the hearts of every person I met on this trip, and shine into them the fullness of Your love. I am so grateful that you accompanied my deeds, and my thoughts. I pray that You will continue to abide in me, that You would lead the way, and that I may continue to enjoy the ride.

Thank you for all the friends who have lifted me up, who have kept me in their hearts, and their prayers this trip. You do it so very well.

Your Kid,

Bud

My Jabez ourney Goes On The Road

2005-02-13T17:58:00.000-05:00

My Jabez Journey

Today, I do something that I, to be honest with you, thought I would not be doing.

I am going to be driving a truck this week, and for a while. I hope that the statement "If it's not writing, it's research!" will hold true for me now, as it has for so long. When Dad takes you by the hand, and says "Let's go!", you go. Immediately.

I haven't been real good about it, but I'm finally prepared. I hope you will pray for me while I'm on the road, until I can come back and update this journal with you. I will be posting audioblog entries here.

In the meantime, stay true to the course. Keep your feet on the path that He alone determines for you, and never fail.

May You Be Blessed, Indeed!

Firmly In His Grip,

Bud

Effective Prayers-Defined

2005-02-11T12:09:00.000-05:00

Today, I would like to give you a little bit of explanation. I think it is due.

The past writings have focused on an issue that is, for many of us, difficult to grasp. There are many names that we use for it, but there is only one that God uses.

I have talked, a lot, about "the chasm". I have spent some time looking at the first effective prayer. But, there is (it seems to me) a fluid dynamic at play here that we have not really discussed.

Look, if you would, at a Scripture. James 5:15-18

God gives us here, not only a very useful definition, but a principle example that we should use, and understand.

God tells us in this part of the Love Story that He has sent you and I that there is a formula we must become. It looks like this: a + b = c.

Can you plug in the variables?

We have said that the first secret of effective prayer is that the prayer must be to God. In this passage, God tells us His response directly.

What is it that causes, or empowers our prayers to the point that they become effective? What was it that Jabez had that turned God away from His busy schedule, and listen?

Here, God does not say that effective prayer is, by itself, a prayer to Him. Yet most of us seem to believe that is the case, and we certainly act like it.

"Hey, I did my part. I prayed. Now God has to answer it, right?"

Not according to this passage, He doesn't. Not according to Jabez, He doesn't. And, surprisingly, not according to God He doesn't.

Even on the Genesis 1:1 side of the Big Dig, it was not merely uttering His Name that caused God to bust the speed limit. If you remember, it was the heart. The passion of the prayer. In that moment, you were transformed, you see. You did not merely pray. You prayed for all you were worth! It was "fervent" prayer. You should probably look this word up in your Dictionary. You can find one here. Fervent prayer is not uttering words. It is to put every feeling, thought, and hope into a suitcase and send it riding through the vast reaches of time and space across an infinite void. The word is not empty. It is loaded to the hilt with all that we are. And in that moment, we stand at the edge and realize that is our destiny. Our hope is gone, because the reality of the situation has become so very clear to us that we cannot misunderstand it.

And, when we cry out, fervently to God from our heart, then He will hear our prayer. But that does not, alone, require His response. When we cry out, in fervent prayer, "God!", I see Him turning around in Heaven and saying "Did someone call Me?"

We must get His attention. We need Him to know that it is not one of the many, standing over there. How do we part ourselves away from the masses of dancers? What is it that separates us into a moment of unique identity that tells God that he not only heard, but that He heard us?

Our first effective prayer is:"You are the God of Creation!"

It is a declaration of our relationship with Him. It is like we are declaring across the chasm "You are driving the boat!" We understand that they are His Rules, and that it is His game. And, we are telling him that we want to play His game, His way. There's a word for that, and it is the container of our relationship with God.

Righteousness.

It is a measure of how well we are playing the game. It is a measure of how fully we understand the rules of the game. And, when the measure is sufficient, the God of Creation then, and only then, responds. God is not a bully. But, it's His gig. It is NOT God's job to respect us, and respond on demand like some trained seal, working for favors.

When you go to someone's home to visit, and you are asked to remove your shoes at the door, what do you do?

When you go to renew your driver's license, why do you stand in line?

When you go to the bathroom, why do you always reach for the toilet paper?

First, you honor the maker of the rules, and the rules they make. It's only polite, and respectful.

When you cry out "You are the God of Creation", you do the same thing. And you start a relationship if God believes you. But, when you are in that moment, over there on that side of the pit, I wonder if you will cry out from your heart only once. Or, will you cry out until you have no breath left?

It's hard to holler when you are crying. Have you ever noticed that? It is using one breath to accomplish more purpose than the breath can do. That is fervent.

In the passage I asked you to look at, we talked about a formula. Now lets see if we can plug in the variables.

a = fervent prayers

b = righteous man

c= effective prayer

The fervent prayers of a righteous man are effective prayers, and cause God to respond. God is a conditional thinker. When we do our part, He does the God thing. We cannot, on our own, create righteousness. I mean to say that we cannot create our own righteousness. Righteousness is a measure of the reflection of God in us. As the moon has no light of its own, neither do we have one iota of non-reflected righteousness. Our "luminosity" is always indirect. when we cry out, from over there, we are reflecting the absolute maximum righteousness available to us. And that, my friend, is what causes God to respond. Only then will God hear our prayer from Heaven. And, only when we reflect His Righteousness will our prayers be effective. Our prayers must be fervent, because God's Glory cannot be contained in our mere words. The fullness of our righteousness is our total ability to reflect the relationship we have with Him. It is no easy task. But, it is no difficult task either. It just, sometimes, takes a while to do the job!

And, the passage that we see tells us that when we do our part, God does His part.

The fervent prayers of a righteous man (or woman-here the word is for mankind, not merely the gender) are effective, and cause God to respond. They require God to respond. Please understand that God is not held hostage to our Prayers. He simply plays by the rules He created. "If" you do this, then "I" do this. And, our job is to do "this" until God responds. They are only effective when God responds. We will discuss how God responds much, later.

The fervent prayers of a righteous man are effective, and the results are huge (availeth much)!

How huge?

In the passage we learn, again, of Elijah and a prayer he prayed to God. How's that for huge? A righteous man prayed fervently for the rain to stop, and it did-for three and one half years! And, only when this same man, with the same faithful righteousness prayed again for the rains to come did things get wet. Was that all about Elijah? Hardly. God does what He does for His Glory.

We sometimes get all hung up on that whole concept. Trust me, we will deal with it fully just down the road a bit. But let me tell you that God is about His Glory all the time. Not because He wants it, or needs it from us. But, rather because He wants us to live in the fullness of it, as a reflection of Himself in us. He desires to share with us His Glory. Shakaina. Have you ever heard of it? The unspeakable, indefinable, unimaginable Glory of the God of Creation is the idea of this word. (Because this is a personal journal, and not a published thesis for evaluation, I am not so worried about spelling. Bear with me, please.)

Shakaina Glory is also shared between God and His kids. He reflects the fullness of His Glory to those who are righteous. It's a benefit of playing the game by His rules. God needs nothing, He's God. He's not so lonely that He just can't do without us. There are millions upon millions of angels in Heaven singing of His Glory every moment of eternity. So why does God need you or me?

Every creation is a reflection, in one way or another, of its creator. And, of all the things which God created, only one has the gift of choice. We have been set higher than all other living things on the Earth, just slightly lower than those very same angels I mentioned. We can choose, over there, to lose our filthy rags, and be clothed in the fullness of God's Glory. The closer to Him we are, the more righteous we are, the more of His Glory we reflect. This is, in a word, pleasing to Him. Why?

Because it is a testimony to the World of our relationship. Our righteousness floods light into a dark place. If you have ever been inside the center of a cave, you must surely know how much light can be produced by one single match. Imagine that same match becoming a candle. Not only light, but light for a long time. Now, imagine that candle being transformed into a 2,000 mega-watt halogen klieg light that is connected to a 35,000 watt electric generator, plugged into a nuclear power facility! And that's just where righteousness begins.

In the case of Elijah, the fervent prayers of one righteous man stopped rain for over three years. Not only that, but a single prayer at that. How's that for effective prayer? And to prove the matter, it was not until that very same man prayed again for the rains to come that they came. Do you realize what that means? One prayer stopped the natural laws of climatology. Well, let's say redirected them. We will talk about that later.

But it does bring into focus one of the biggest conflicts in faith. Well, did Elijah's prayer physically, actually stop the rains? Or is that just some illustrative story to prove a point? What does God say about it? What does Jabez say about it? What do you say about it?

The Middle-Eastern Climatological Historical Survey said it actually happened. What they do not say is why it happened. They weren't there. They have no "first-hand" data to prove a point they don't care about. But, they have plenty of evidence that such an occurance did in fact take place, in the specific area where Elijah was standing when he prayed.

One thing that has constantly amazed me is that no single shred of scientific evidence has yet to be created that contradicts Scripture. The Bible does not contradict itself, or God. The Bible does not contradict a single thread of whatever scientific data, from whatever source you choose. Science confirms Scripture, when it is real science. (If you really want to follow this stream of thought further, I would highly recommend a book by a guy named Josh McDowell. He has a book titled "Evidence That Demands A Verdict!" You can look it up here.

The fervent prayers of a righteous man are effective prayers, and the results are so huge that they can only come from one source: God Himself. In our Elijah example, it seems to me that you have a couple of choices. You must read the story in it's context over in the Old Testament, but you will see that there was very definitely reasons for Elijah to pray this prayer.

Was it about Elijah? Was it about his power? Was it about his "stuff"? Was he trying to pray in for himself a new car? Was he all about impressing his fellow worshippers in Church? Hardly. Was it about his righteousness, and his reflecting the fullness of the Glory of God?

What does God say about it? What does Jabez say about it? What do you say about it?

We know what James said about it, that's for sure. James had plenty of reason to know about it. He was a follower, and a Disciple of Jesus christ. He was so convinced of it, that he was killed for talking about it, but kept right on speechifyin' about it to his very last breath. What did Christ think of James?
I would let you search on that one yourself. But be sure to look up the terms "Sons of Thunder!" (That's a nickname Jesus used)

If you are playing by the rules, over here on the Genesis 1:3 side of the pit, amazing things happen. Amazing to who? You? They shouldn't be. But they sure can seem amazing to those of us kids who aren't as righteous as you. That's how we fill each other's righteousness container up. We share the reflection of God, each in our own way. (Not, as Lucifer sadly determined, in our own light!) It is not about us. It is always about Him.

To believe that we are somehow worthy of God's reflected Glory just simply amazes me. You know, to me, that is just like the Rooster who believes that the sun rises, simply because he crows! There is no righteousness in such thinking, or living. There is no reflection of the Most High God in believing that you are, somehow, "entitled" to anything. And, if you need just one more reminder, I'll ask ya: What did YOU do to get across the hole? Did you spread your arms and flap your way across? Did you put on your really awesome lookin' $ 800 hiking boots and trek your way from one side to the other? Did you drive your totally incredible Hummer through the muck, and the mire?

I don't think so...nope, I don't. If you do, I'd say you'd better do a quick GPS check on your position, friend. There's a lot of "over there" over there.

We must pray. To God. Fervently. Righteously. That is effective prayer.

Are you praying? Are you praying to God? Are you praying to God without ceasing? Are you praying to God without ceasing in the fullness of His Righteousness?

What would God say about that?

What would Jabez say about that?

What do you say about that?

Be Blessed, Indeed!

Unohu

Week One-God's Timing

2005-02-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

I have been kicking around the idea of this course for almost a year. An online, interactive course that was facilitated (led), discussion (fed), on the book "The Prayer of Jabez" (read) and wholly given to God (Dad).

In His own, amazing timing, God brought His kids together in the place He chose, for His purposes. A year ago, I didn't even know that this group existed, and was more or less happily "droppin' gears" across the length and breadth of America's highways in my big truck.

Lent began yesterday. For forty days (not counting the traditional "feast" days of Sunday), the entire Church "season" is about reflection, abstinance, repentance, and forgiveness. It ends on Palm Sunday, which is the beginning of Easter Week. Easter Sunday begins a forty day cycle, which ends on the Day of Pentecost.

There can be no Easter without Lent, just as there can be no Easter Sunday without Good Friday, and the vigil of Saturday.

In "The Zero Week" lesson, I said there is nothing after Genesis 1:1. to get us across the chasm but God-everything else comes after that.

I really like the linear nature of this thinking, and I like to think of it as entirely God-like. I found today a site that discusses Seven Prayers by Paul McManus. It is here. He gives an entire course of study on seven simple prayers.

These are seven very effective prayers, if you use them correctly.

Notice the first one. "I love You, God!"

The significance of this prayer is, I hope, very clear to you. From across the reaches of the electrons, someone else believes that this must be the first prayer.

We will spend Lent together in this course. We will spend Easter Week together.

If, at the conclusion of this amazing journey, we were able to experience these events of Lent, and Easter in an entirely new way, with an entirely never-before experienced understanding, would that be a Blessing? Indeed!

There is a cute story making it's way across the electrons this week that is roughly going by the name of "Getting Into Heaven".

In the story, a Third grade teacher is asking his students questions about Heaven in their Sunday School class.

"If I sell all my stuff, and give all the money I make to the poor--then will I get into Heaven?"

"NO!" His class replied in unison. This made the teacher very proud.

"Well, if I clean up my room, and do all my chores, and mind my Mommy and Daddy--then will I get into Heaven?"

"NO!" Again the teacher was very proud of his class. They were understanding!

"Well, if I move to a far away land, and teach strangers about God, and Jesus--then will I get into Heaven?" There was a slight pause of silence in the classroom.

"NO!" The class resounded. The teacher was beside himself with joy.

"Well then, how do I get to Heaven?" The teacher asked his class.

From the back of the room, little Tommy piped up and said:

"You've gotta be DEAD!"

(It's okay, you can laugh now. That's the joke.)

But, isn't it also completely true?

Remember the chasm?

The "I" in us can only make it across the chasm when we are dead.
We must be dead to ourselves, and to the world, with only one verse in our heart, mind, and soul. And there is only one way across the Chasm, remember?

And, it's not about us.

The focus verses this week take us one step further along the journey. In the zero week activity, our verses taught us that we are commanded to pray, to God alone. It is He who comes and carries us across the chasm.

When we cry out to Him, and He alone, from the center of our soul, He will come to us, and transport us in His Love from the Genesis 1:1 side, safely across the chasm of Genesis 1:2, until we land safely into the beginning of Genesis 1:3. Only from that side of the Chasm can we ever have any hope of every verse that follows. God becomes Dad, and had written to those of us who are safely on the Genesis 1:3 side of the pit a very personal love letter.

He shows us around the place He built for us, and introduces us personally to some of the friends He has made who are playing around in the garden with Him. Only on the Genesis 1:3 side of the hole do we find those folks that our focus verses refer to. And, unless we unceremoniously fling all that we are into the chasm, God just does not appear.

The "I" in us must be dead. That's the whole point. And that's why it's never about us. It is only about God. God alone answers prayer.

"Well", you say, what about Jesus? Does Jesus answer prayer?
Nope. That's not His job.

Jesus has one job to do in Heaven. His job is the intercession to God for those who are identified with Him by the blood of Salvation, given at Calvary. He is, forever, praying to the Father. That's what He did when He was here. He either talked to Dad, or talked about Dad. Everything Jesus did for the thirty-three years of his Earthly Ministry was about Dad--His Dad.

And the very first thing Jesus did was to stand by the edge. For forty days, he looked back toward the "big house", and thought about the decision He had made. And He threw all his glory, his position, and his rightful place--into the chasm. The promise that His Dad had given him was that it wouldn't stay there. And, only when every last possible ounce of Glory was out of him, God brought him from Genesis 1:3 to Genesis 1:1.

He spent forty days remembering, learning from our standpoint, and seeking to be worthy. Not because he was unworthy, but because He BECAME unworthy. He came to show us the way across the pit. He came to love us across. And, He taught us that we have to die before we can make it.

Likewise, the Holy Spirit is with us as teacher, guide, and comforter. But, His communication is to, and from God. He then helps us, doesn't he?

He takes the innermost longings of our heart, and utters them in a language we do not understand, and places them before the Mercy Seat of God. He also brings to us the thoughts of God as regards our journey back home to Him. When?

When, and only when, we are across the chasm. Unless, and until that happens, the Holy Spirit cannot enter the throne room of God wearing our filthy wrags. The Holy Spirit is Holy, even as God is Holy.
He won't go trackin' our ugliness around the throneroom of Heaven. Those are golden floors! From the Throne of God flows a river. Nobody's going to let it get polluted just because you haven't quit dancin' yet. Only when we die, and God Himself agrees that we have died to ourselves, will the Holy Spirit be empowered in, through, and for our lives. We must be dead.

It's important to note that we are told in these verses that, when we are across the chasm, we have the full fellowship of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God to look forward to. That should make us desire to do whatever it requires. That's a pretty good payoff, don't you think? That's some pretty big stuff.

When will we get it?

Jabez needed it NOW!

Whether, as some have speculated, he was on the verge of a military campaign regarding the Caananites, or whether this prayer was first uttered as he was beginning his adult life, we do not know for certain. But, we do know that when he said it, he meant it. And, in a truly Genesis 1:1 moment, he dared to utter the only prayer that mattered. It was then, and is now, the only effective first prayer.

"And he cried out..."(1 Chronicles 4:10)NKJV

The overwhelming sense that I draw from these four words is explained in my story about the chasm. The moment that you reach that point of utter hopelessness, when you are all danced out-when the air is so thick you can barely breathe it--and then, with the very last breath you will ever breathe in this life, that is the moment you will cry out.

And if you have ever done it, there is no doubt in your mind that what I am saying to you is true. If you are reading these words, and you have no personal knowledge of this moment I am describing, then I would truly suggest to you that you are on the wrong side of the chasm. That is not for me to know. That IS for you to know.

I can testify to you, with all that is within me, there is such a moment. And, there is that same moment, no matter how you get there, or what you bring with you, for you, too.

If you can relate to my friend, sitting by the abyss, and have felt the rushing, mighty wind of God clamoring out of Heaven in His Chariot of fire, just to reach you, then you are probably safely across the chasm. The truths of our focus verses will not only make sense to you, but you will find them worthy of your study.

When you are safely across the chasm, it then, and only then, becomes possible to fully enjoy the handiwork of God. Once you have entered into a covenant relationship with him, He alone opens up the storehouse of Heaven to bestow His gracious, and un-ending mercies down upon you.

We really need to understand the basics here. First, you are alone. Many, many live their entire lives alone, and die truly alone. I am not talking about family, and friends, and lives, and stuff. I am convinced that, if you are on the Genesis 1:1 side of the chasm, you are as alone as alone can be. To dance your life completely away is the saddest statement of a life that can ever be given. And, every moment you are dancing, you are saying "No!" to God. Every single instance which leaves you without God, you are! I know that people live their entire lives dancing away their forever, but I must admit to you that I simply do not understand it. It is a simple formula, with a simple decision.

But, when you follow the commandment of God, the instructions of the ages, and the example of one simple man named Jabez, the possibilities are endless. When you get "the grand" tour, by the Creator Himself, verse by verse through the love story which He has specifically written just for you, you cannot help but get a real sense of the love He has for you.

All of Heaven's treasures are submitted for the approval of the King of Creation. He smiles, full of His love, and puts His stamp of approval on the requistion. Then, the Son of the Most High God steps up, and marks it "Paid In Full". Finally, the Holy Spirit packs up the incredible gifts of Heaven, and delivers them, in person. Blessing upon immeasurable blessing comes to you in the most incredible parade ever assembled. Spiritual Blessings that keep you safely beside the Father. Physical Blessings of health, vim, vigor, and vitality rain down upon you at the pleasure of the Father. Emotional Blessings to keep your mind and heart on those things of the Father abide within you. Financial Blessings to keep Ole Clubfoot at bay, leaving you no reason for fear, or doubt--these amazing blessings are all around you.

Spiritual Blessings. Personal Blessings. Emotional Blessings. Physical Blessings. Financial Blessings.

Or, nothing.

What God measures, in each of His Children, is the heart. To the child of God, the expectation of Blessing just never exists. To the child of God, it is always about Him. Your heart is a never-ending song given only to the Praise and Adoration of the Father. Your relationship with Him is a never-ending song.

That does not mean that the life of us, as Dad's kids, is easier, or softer. In fact, it is most often quite the opposite. As badly as God needs us, we need Him even moreso. We live, as all of his kids have lived, in a hostile world. This is the world of Satan. And, believe me when I say to you that "Ole Ugly" is always on the hunt. Every time you are Blessed, He is slapped. Every time you choose to glorify the God of Creation, he is shamed. Every time you are successful, he fails.

Life is not about "stuff". It is about relationship. And, from our focus verses for this lesson, we find some really remarkable truths.

God is on a relentless pursuit. He has devoted every ounce of what can be known about Him to that pursuit. And He will move Heaven, and Earth, to achieve His Purpose. There is no thing that God has that He will not give for this purpose. We are the object of that pursuit. It is His sole desire to be in right relationship with His kids. There is nothing, save our refusal, that will keep Him from coming to where we are, or bringing us to where He is. To be in relationship with God is the most amazing adventure imaginable. Every ounce of our energy, every beat of our heart, and every electron of our intellect should be fueling our heart toward Him.

God commands us to pray-to Him. To talk to Him, and sharing the every moment of our existence here with Him. He shows no shortage of availability-we do. God shows no shortage of resource-we do. God shows no slighting of Blessing. We do.

God even encourages us to pray to Him through our direct access, at any moment, to Him. The Mercy Seat is always available to us. God tells us that we can utilize our salvation in Christ Jesus as access to Him. The verses we are studying this week tell us that both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are on the job 24/7/365, interceding on our behalf to the Father. We even learn in the Scriptures this week that when we are full of the Holy Spirit till we are overflowing, we can (and certainly should) access Him, and all the favor of Heaven for our daily struggles here.

So, what's all this going on really about?

What you are is of no consequence to God, save that you are His. Who you are does not impress Him; whose you are does. What you have does not give you a superior position, as far as God is concerned. Everything you have that is worth counting not only comes from Him, but it belongs to Him as well. There is no good thing you have which does not flow directly into your world from the Blessings of God. You don't barter with God for what you want, you simply ask. But, you don't ask for "stuff", because God is offended when we use our unique position only for ourselves. You don't ask for finances, because those are within God's providence in the first place. Do you see the difference? It's imperative that you get this, because you could really get into trouble if you misunderstand.

God is not an ATM. He is the Creator of the Universe. When you are using God as an ATM, or a mail order catalogue, you offend Him. He promises us that every single need we have in this world is provided to us, by Him. The challenge is to see who is faster. Is it you, in your fervent heartsong? Or is it Dad, and His unfailing love? And, here, with the Scripture verses for this week, we see that we are even empowered, through a righteous heart, mind, and Spirit, to accelerate our petitions to Him. Jesus Christ submits our petitions to the Throne, as does the Holy Spirit. All prayer flows to God. All Blessings flow to His kids, from their Dad.

God will, from time to time, test us. He will use these tests to correct us when we jump off the path He has set for us. He does not hesitate to reprove us when the choices we make direct us away from Him. He will give us discipline when we forget that it is all about Him, and our personal relationship with Him alone that is of any substance in the forever of Eternity. And God will sometimes use a difficult situation to prepare us for even greater Blessings. Faith is a muscle, it needs use to stay fit. Sometimes, we notice the flab. Sometimes God does, and there are even times when Satan sees us getting soft in the faith. But, in our faith, we not only share the wonderful relationship, we grow it. Regardless of the circumstance which causes it, our faith is the living tesiment of our relationship.

I have learned a few things in this life. For instance, I have learned that there are (so far) six things God does not know. I will share them with you as we go along, and I encourage you to stay tuned.

I hope that you, as you have read this, have come to know perhaps a little better, or even for the very first time, the reality lived out by one simple man. Jabez had many different Gods, Idols, and beliefs available to him where he was. But, from all of them, to whom did he cry out?

He knew that there was only one. I believe that, regardless of what caused it, he somehow found himself looking at the edge from the Genesis chasm. We are never told which side of the chasm Jabez stood as he was, most assuredly, staring into the pit. But, we do know what he did about it. We find it in the very first phrase of his little prayer.

"And Jabez called on the God of Israel..." 1 Chronicles 4:10(a) NKJV.

This IS effective prayer. The Scripture tells us that this is the only effective prayer. If we do not first call upon Him, there is no reason to believe that any good thing will come from our petitions. To tell Him that we love Him is to call upon Him, and Him alone. May you find yourself not only able, but willing to do the same.

May you be blessed, Indeed!

Unohu

Prayer For Zero Week

2005-02-08T19:35:00.000-05:00

My Jabez Journey

Hey, Dad?

I just spent some really scarey time today. I had to go, You know, over "there".

You know, Daddy, when I used ta dance around over there it never felt like it did today. It was all barren, and dry, with a really big, hot wind.

The air was so thick you could hardly breathe. I felt like Ole Spongebutt had a steel belt, right around my heart. And the longer I was over there, the sadder I got.

There's just way too many folks over there, Daddy! I know that I had to go. I wanted to do like my Big Bro did, and show somebody the good stuff. I was listenin' to that song You wrote for me today...Oh, You know, that one that has those words in it that says:

"With two pieces of rough wood, three nails, and one willing heart, God built a bridge..."

I'm really sorry, Daddy that I was EVER over there. I'm so glad to be over here, with You. Don't ever leave me, Dad. And, don't ever, ever let me leave You again. Thanks for showing me something today that I had to see. And, thanks for bringin' me Home.

I love You Daddy. I haven't figured out just how to tell You how much yet, but I'm gonna work on it, I promise. Ya know, I just think it's so awesome that me and You can talk like this. That's maybe the best part of this whole deal down here. It gets pretty ugly sometimes, and there's just whole bunches of times when I couldn't make it if You weren't playin' with me.

I'm not sure how it's gonna turn out Daddy. But, I hope I do good for You today. Just, for today. That's enough for me to deal with. You gotta buhmember, I'm just a little kid!! But, it sure is great to know in my heart that me and You are a Majority, no matter what.

Thanks, Dad. I love You.

Your kid,

Bud

Zero Week: The Journey Begins

2005-02-08T15:06:00.000-05:00

Discussion Board Entry #1
Reply to this post with questions or comments to either myself, or to the Board.

Zero Week Activity Schedule:

Lesson Out: January 30th, 2005
Discussion on the Boards: Ongoing
Assignments due to Bud: Saturday, February 5th, 2005
Zero Week Chat: None scheduled by facilitator

Focus Verses: Isaiah 55:6-7; Phillipians 4:6-7

What one thing has the information from the course this beginning week shown you, or led you to experience for the first time, or just the first time in a while? Please share with the board.

As I begin the instruction of this course, I am led by the need to make some really important statements, even before the class begins.
There has been, in the not so distant past, quite a controversy broiling over the entire Jabez experience. I, having known the work and life of the author of the series for a very long time, have a natural bias. I have witnessed the dedication of this man to the purpose of Christ. That one dis-gruntled former associate who felt he was superior to the work, and the worker, set out to grub some sour grapes, and quite a few dollars for himself--that he chose to do this is lamentable--he chose poorly. But the true heart of a man is the reward he sees in this life, and the next. You would think that after what happened to Lucifer, this guy would have gotten a clue!

This course is an online, inter-active experience. I have chosen the title of "Effective Prayer" for a very particular reason. I do not wish, and will not permit, any facet of the "controversy" to take a postion in it. The nuggets of wisdom delivered here are, I believe, of the greatest benefit to those who will seriously apply themselves to the task. This is not an easy course, nor should it be.

But it is not a course about tough courses, either. The entire concept of having an effective prayer life is one of the most significant consequence. I said that I do not think that God is interested in answering your life questions. I firmly believe that to be true.

We talk about questions, and answers, and prayer. I made a bold statement to the course participants as to what I think God is, or is not interested in. I do not know the heart, or mind, of God. But I did want to shock perhaps a bit.
Most people, from my experience, have a very definite "opinion" about prayer, and their life in prayer. It has strange ways of showing itself. A few real life examples:

1. "I feel comfortable in my prayer life--it works for me."

Yeah, sure. It worked through the divorce, the adultery, the homelessness, the embezzlement, the abortion, and it sustained you through that crisis where your child fled from your home. It is your companion to, and from the bar. I really have no doubt that you ARE comfortable in this prayer life.

2. I've heard a Dad, in Counselling, desiring to know what to do about his gay son.

"I've prayed, and I've prayed about it, but he is still living a life of sin--an abomination to the Lord. I can't get him to change his "lifestyle". I just don't know what to do, but this boy is destroying my family!"

"So," I say, "what are you praying for? What do you want God to do?"

The Dad looked at me as if I had just landed.

"Well, I pray that God would deliver him from this evil sin, to deliver him from this abomination. I pray that this healing would come to my boy, and he would stop tearing my family apart over the whole, nasty, vulger, evil thing. But it's not working! I don't know what to do!"

Honestly delivered, intensely felt. And so far from God that it purely defies description.

3. I've stood by the bedside of a tortured body, containing a terrified soul.

"Why? Why would God do this to me? I've been praying for healing for months. Now it's too late. Why didn't God hear my prayer? Why didn't God answer my prayer?"

4. "I just don't know what to do! I am at my wit's end. The bills keep piling up, and the money just isn't coming in. I'm working two full time jobs, but I just can't make ends meet. I can't afford to go to School! God has completely let me down! I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed. I'm about to lose my apartment, there is no food in the refrigerator. I can't afford gas for my car. God let me down, again, as usual!"

And, perhaps the biggest one of all:

5. "There is no way that I would pray to a God who would let my child die of cancer. There is no God that would allow this to happen that I'm interested in praying to!"

Yes, they are real. Every one of them were statements uttered to me, in my face. There are many others that I could share with you, and I will as the course progresses. Stay tuned.

"Oh", you say, "I NEVER Blame God for anything!" Really? You want to bet?

How many of your present circumstances are you thinking that God won't fix?

Do you really think that God will just fly down, sit on your couch, look around for a minute, and then jump up and say "Oh here, let me get that for you!"

There is a huge chasm in the Bible. If you never cross it, you are lost. Period. It arrives very early in the Scriptures. And if you cannot find your way to get across the abyss, none of what will follow in this ten week experience will make any sense to you. If you are having problems now, I suggest you take a walk with me to the edge, and take a look.

Grab a Bible.

Open it to the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. (It's the first book in the Bible. I told you it happened early!)

Look at verse 1. (See, it really IS early!)

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen.1:1) NKJV

Stop!

We are at the edge. Be careful, I'd hate for you to fall. Let's take just a baby step back, shall we? I don't like being as tall as I am, and that's a long drop!

Pull up a stone, and let's talk a moment.

The distance to the next verse takes forever to walk across. In fact, you just couldn't do it.
Are you thinking I have lost my little mind?

Perhaps, let's see.

No, don't look at the second verse. It doesn't matter. Just close your Bible for a minute, and sit with me and consider verse 1 for a minute, okay?

Works will not get you across the never-ending canyon. You can't "Do" anything that will force some secret panel to open, releasing a moving sidewalk. No helicopters are coming. You can't create one. If you work every moment from this one, to your last one, you will not create a way across the chasm. And, I must tell you that my two pals gravity, and HIS pesky sidekick inertia really don't care whether or not you believe in them, either. They still do what they do, just like they were created to do, every single time. If you step off the edge there, you are going to fall. You just won't stop falling.

Oh, and by the way, there's no secret word to utter, either. There's no secret password, or handshake to get across.

You see, it has to be a really big, deep, wide chasm. Why, do you think, that is?

Just think about it a minute, ok?

You really want a clue don't you! I can tell.

Ok, but just one. Don't tell anybody I told you this, ok? Promise? YOU SWARE??

To who? Who is it that you swear to? Your promise, I mean?
The name of this course is "Effective Prayer". That's the clue.

Now tell me the truth. Were you about to tell me that you swear to God? Really?
That's a lie.

How do I know? Easy. Take a minute, and look down at your feet. Where are they?
Right here, right? I mean, right here where you and I are. On THIS side of the chasm.

"The earth was without form, and void." (Gen.1:2)NKJV The chasm, defined.

You see, my friend, the chasm has to be large enough to hold the entire earth. All of it's people that were, are now, or ever will be will wind up there. All of our industry, our parks and streams, and our skyscrapers. Our roads have to fit in there, too. Everything that has been, or ever will be invented, or created by man has to fit in the chasm.

Of course, that includes our hopes, and our dreams, too. Our thoughts and our fears, our pain and our joy has to go into the chasm. Everything on Earth. Even our prayers have to go into the chasm too. Well, most of them, anyway. Some of them don't.

Our sin has to go in there too. Every one of them. Every unkind deed gets tossed into the mix inside the Chasm, too. There is nothing that we count as worthy that won't wind up there. Not our jobs, or our "stuff". Nothing. Well, almost nothing.

Okay, before I beat a dead horse beyond recognition, let me ask you a question.

Do you think that we can ever hope to get across the chasm, to the other side? Is there anything, based upon what I've said so far, that holds out any, even one hope for us to get across this never-ending pit?

In the Zero Week lesson, I told you that we must do something very specific. What was it? Well, let's look back at the lesson material. Oh, believe me, we've got time.

One of the comments that I've already received from one of the course participants is the noticed absence of mentions of Jesus Christ. A member of the class was somewhat surprised, and a little angry. Good! Great! Huzzah! More on that in a minute.

Very early on in the lesson material I said, and I quote me:

"Effective Prayer is dealing with God on God’s terms."

God is, before there was a was. And, here we sit, right at the edge of the chasm. In this moment, we are the accumulated compilation of all we have ever been. You, and I. We sit here, side by side, looking as hard as we can, and we cannot see the other side of the Chasm.

Who cares? Why does it matter? What's the big deal?

Well, it's really simple. Everything which follows verse one is on the other side of the chasm. And God, being God, says that if you and I don't play by HIS rules, we don't get to play at all. "My Game, My Rules!" And if we want to go any further on this journey, we have to get across the chasm. It would really suck to be stuck over here for the rest of forever, dontcha think?

How's that for hopelessness?

Yet, that's where we are. And until we figure out the clues, this is where we are gonna be stuck. God says so. It's His game. Read verse 1 again.

Perhaps we are ready to think about getting off of this starting spot, this "Zero" Position, and start the Journey. Take as much time as you want to. God's got forever. Do you?

Again, back to the lesson. I made a statement that one member has already taken me to task for making. I said, we should pray only to God. I then said that God alone answers all prayer. I stand by my statements. Right here. On this side of the chasm.

With you. Not with God, with you.

God isn't here.

Oh, about that praying stuff. There's lots of prayers in the chasm too. They never made it across. Why? Because they were not effective. They didn't have the trajectory, the speed, or the proper direction. Into the chasm they fell.

Maybe, right about now, you can make out some movement in the air. You feel that breeze?
Yeah, it feels good. You know, like when you open your eyes, and feel good after you pray?
Friend, that breeze you are feeling is an ill wind.

It is carrying every single prayer that is headed into the Chasm. Look up, and see if you can make out any that you might recognize. Are there any you can make out? Are any of them yours?

There is only one way across the chasm, but there IS a way. Turn around here with me for a moment, and let's look at verse 1 again. "In the beginning, God..."

Is it just usual, normal, human intuition that causes you to want to cross the chasm? Are you just plain ole nosey? Does not knowing something just make you crazy?

Or is it something else? Maybe you are hurting. Maybe you are lost, and don't know how to find your way home. Maybe you are dying. Maybe, just maybe, you are just plumb wore out.
God doesn't care. He really doesn't.

Whoa! Now That's a statement! Pretty bold, dontcha think?
Nah, it's easy. I can guarantee it.

How? Cause we are standing on this side of the chasm, friend. God has absolutely nothing to do with anything on this side of the Chasm. We, standing here on this side of the great abyss, represent to God every single thing that God completely despises. Whatever you can name that God hates, it's over here. And, if you can't figure out the way across, that's where you are gonna spend a really long time. Yes, God really IS that viscious, mean, heartless, evil, ugly, vengeful, and completely torqued. Towards you? Me? Yep, you bet.
How can that be?

We're over here, and we are NOT over there, that's how. It is really entirely that simple. There is nothing that follows that. And, until you deal with that, there is not gonna be any change in your life.

So, what is the way across the chasm?
Jesus can't get you across it. Satan is over here where we are. He obviously isn't going to help. He's really kind of hoping you don't figure it out.

Look, I told you in the lesson we had to go back to the beginning. Here we are. At the very beginning. Finally, here we are.

God declares that He, alone, is the Creator of Heaven. God declares that He, alone, is the Creator of Earth. As long as you dance around that, you are dancin' on the wrong side of the dancefloor. And God doesn't care. You really need to get it. He doesn't care. It's not about you. It's not about me. It's about God!

"I don't believe the Bible is the inerrant, literal, Word of God! It's just an adventure story! It's just words, created by man, for man's purposes. I don't have to believe in God, and I sure don't have to believe that this 'Buy-Bull' is His Word."

Go ahead, dance! Actually, you are pretty good at it.

"I believe parts of the Bible. But there's stuff in there you can't prove. And, until it is proven to my satisfaction, I'm just not going to take it as Gospel!" Really? Interesting Choice.

"There's whole different bunches of ways to believe. As long as it's right for me, it's true. I don't believe in absolute truth!"

Gosh, you've got just gangs of energy. Keep dancin'. God doesn't care. But when you finally get all danced out, do me just one little favor, would ya?

Look down. Look at where your feet are.

And, when you get so weary from dancin', and whistlin' in the wind, let me know.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth." (Genesis 1:1)

You've just memorized all the Bible you will ever know. And, at this rate, you are going to spend the rest of forever remembering it. God just doesn't care.

Why not?

Good question. Have a seat, and let's talk about it.

Until you have, within your soul, the absolute conviction of the truth of Genesis 1:1, God doesn't care. Jesus doesn't matter. Paul holds no meaning for you. John's revelation is nothing more than the very first Science Fiction Novel. Calvary didn't happen. No garden, no boat, no angels, no promises. No hope.

But, if you ever get to that moment in the center of all that you are, or ever hope to be, that you must get across the chasm or die, don't let me know. I can't get you across the distance. Jesus can't either. In fact, he won't even lift a finger to help you. There is no one in the entire universe, except you, and God. So, I guess you have a pretty simple choice. You can talk to yourself, and whistle in the wind. Or, you can talk to God. There is no one else.

And, if you decide to talk to God, don't worry. You don't have to yell loud enough to carry your voice across the vast expanse of the chasm. Just whisper. He knows His own name. He doesn't love to hear His name spoken. He doesn't care.

But, Boy, Howdy! Does God love it when you whisper His name. You see, God can tell by HOW you call his name. That is the moment when God knows it's all about Him. He's God.

And, when you whisper His name, He comes at a full gallop, until He is suddenly all the way across the chasm. Hey, He's God. He can do it. And, He will, every time. When He hears you crying out to him over here, where you are, He comes arunnin' as fast as anything, just to get to you. And He will talk with YOU! And, then, just watch what happens.

When you just vomit all the stuff that is the entire compilation of what you are into the chasm until there's nothing left, then and only then can you get across the chasm.

You see, nothing that belongs in the chasm is allowed over there, on the other side, on the Genesis 1:3 side of the hole with no bottom. That's God Country over there, and He keeps it clean. Spotless, in fact. And, when you are so very tired of all the stuff over here, and you fully know in your Heart that Genesis 1:1 is undeniably true, God Himself will carry you across the chasm.

And, the most amazing thing will begin to happen. As you fly across the chasm of Genesis 1:2, God sets you gently down on the other side, right at the beginning of a love story He wrote just for you, in this very moment. It starts with God telling you what to expect. He's gonna show you around all the stuff that He made, just for you. You get to hear about it right where you land, in Genesis 1:3, and for every single verse after that.

Don't worry, friend. He gives you all the time that you need to empty your pockets, and even throw your pants and shoes into that nasty, ugly place. (Hey, He's God! He created you, and He loves what He created. That's the whole garden scene, remember? "They were naked, and yet were not ashamed.") (Genesis 2:25) NKJV (That means you can look up the verse yourself, and see what it says, and talk to God about what it really means.)

And, when you are fully ready, you, and God, will walk squarely into Genesis 1:3. And God, so happy to be with you, will begin showin' you around the place. He will show you what He created just for you. He will walk with you, and sit with you, and just BE with you.

And, everything back there--you know, in the big dig? Is there anything you really would bring? Really?
Funny thing about Dad. He never stops you from going back to the edge. Most people (well, just those with belly buttons, actually) do visit the hole from time to time. Just to remember what was, for some stupid reason.

I wouldn't waste so much as one breath, one heartbeat--not one moment there. God doesn't go there. He doesn't care. He cares about what came across. And He becomes "Dad". He smiles a lot, laughs loud, and hugs like you just simply cannot conceive. He delights in the hearts of His children. His kids are his very best work.

Ummm, that's you.

And, that is effective prayer. It is, for every one of God's kids, our very FIRST effective prayer. It reaches across the chasm, beyond the stars and thunders into the very throneroom of the King of Creation.

It makes a noise louder than a fart in Church. (Sorry.)

Everybody there hears it, but there is only One who can recognize it as the sweet voice of a child. And what Dad can hear the small, still, sweet voice of their child crying "Daddy? I need You!" and not come running as fast as he can, crying tears of the broken heart?

How much moreso, then, will God come to you? Where you are? And give you the desires of your heart?

Jabez knew it. Do you?

That is the purpose of this course. It's about you, it's all about you and God. And if you can, after all this, still dance "over there", you are choosing poorly.

Mohammed hasn't been seen in these parts since he died. Buddha is a bust. There's not gonna be any stampedin' cattle, Holy or otherwise. The universe won't fill you with happy thoughts and waft you carefully across the chasm. The Koran will not magically spit out a magic carpet. Diana ain't in the building. You can't beg, barter, or trade anything you have to get across. God, and God alone is the only way across the Chasm.

Only when you fully understand, and agree in the very center of your soul, and your forever, that it's all about Him, will you get across that endless realm that is even huge enough to contain all your "I think"s, and "I believe"s, and every thing that is not "THOU art the God of Creation!"

Sorry, but that really is the very simple truth of it. Anything that does not look like just that, just has to come from "over there". And, "over there", on the Genesis 1:1 side of the chasm, ya know? There is no such thing as effective prayer. Except one. That's why we are talking, my friend. If you want to get to the other side of the chasm, you first have to realize that you are NOT ON the other side of the chasm. And, sometimes, that takes some real hard work.

You see, that is the first secret of effective prayer.

You might want to make a list you can keep for this course. There are several we will look at and others I will mention as we journey on, toward effective prayer.

Secret Number 1: Effective Prayer comes from the center of your heart, and goes directly to the heart of God. It is your cry to God. That IS prayer. And, God comes running to you. and THAT is EFFECTIVE prayer. The focus verses for "Zero Week" tell us that we are to pray, to God. God commands it, and He hears it.

"And Jabez called upon (cried out to) the God of Israel..." (1 Chronicles: 4:10a)NKJV

Spend as much time as you need "over there". I got gardens to play in with my Dad. But, when you are REALLY ready, I hope you will come play with us. We just really do love it when new kids come to play.

May You Be Blessed, Indeed!

Bud Fields
New Albany, Indiana

My Jabez Journey

2005-02-07T05:04:00.000-05:00

My Jabez Journey

Hey, Dad?

I just wanted to be in Your lap for a minute, is that okay? Thanks.
There is so much going on in my little room down here, Daddy. There are so many things on my inside that I wanna talk with You about that it's hard to get them all lined up.

That thing with the computer really made me a not-so-nice person today. At one point I was almost done, and looking forward to quiet time today.
Then, outa nowhere: POW! Crash, virus, trashed files, and a whole bunch of work. I was really cranky, Dad. I didn't see, again, that in one silly mistake that somebody else made, it was You the whole time, just needing to be with me. This whole course thing is a really big part of my heart these days, Dad. You know I only want You to be the course. I don't want to be any part of it, other than just one of Your Kids learning what You teach us. I guess I musta got it wrong the first time, 'cause Man, Daddy, do You got some kinda big eraser! And, all of a sudden, I was re-writing the whole big ole thing all over again.

And ran right into You. I remember that thing I asked You about this morning, about whether or not this was what You wanted me to be doing. And, before I could even put it here, You put me to work being about Your business, instead of mine. It is a lesson I won't forget for a while, Dad. And then, even while I'm figuring out how to get to the addresses of the kids You want to see Your stuff, You send me two whole love notes! Man, that is just so really great, Daddy.

Dr. Spurgeon's Devotions are so nifty. I really have to read slow, and take my time with his words. But, that's what is so cool about them. You just can't hurry through those old timey words if you want to understand what Dr. Spurgeon is saying. And, the slower you read his words, the more you learn.

Sir?

Really?

Oh...

So, if I read Your Words slower...You mean, like You lived between the words or something? You what, Dad?

You leave a footprint between every word? Really?

Wow! Okay, I will. Maybe that will help me understand that stuff You write in the Directions, too. It sure is great the way You let The Holy Spirit live inside me, Dad. He really does a good job of interpreting what I read into what You want me to know. He's really good at talking to You for me, too.

But, anyway, thanks for being with me today, Daddy. I wouldn't have been able to do all that stuff without You helping me. I hope You like the way it turned out.

Sir?

What do you mean that You will when it does?

Oh, I see. It's just a beginning. It's not all turned out yet. Hehe, just like me, huh?

Well, I know I'll be just perfect, Dad, as long as You are holding my hand. Just don't let go, k?

I'm really nervous about today Dad. Please take today for me, Daddy. I know I've got to live it, but I don't want to mess it up. Help me know which foot to place where, and don't let Ole Crablegs trip me up like last time. But, if somehow he does, You promise to catch me?

I could use a little dab of Your Peace, today, Dad. My heart is all jumbled up about that stuff we talked about earlier. Help me to really let it all go, to give it to you, so I can go runnin' to my friends and let 'em know how You did so good.

Watch over all my kid friends in the course, too Daddy. Hold us all together, even while we are studyin' by ourselves this week. I know You chose every word to send 'em. Let them have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel what You would want for them as they work so hard to be better talkers to You.

Watch over Chris, and Kathy, and Toni, and Brandon, and Michael, and Cindy, and Necia and Robert, and Diane, and Jeanie, and Tracye too. Cover us all with Your Grace, Dad. Let today be a day just gang- full of You, no matter where we go, or what we do. Keep Ole Stoopid leashed up for today Dad. And stay right here, close by, okay?

I hope what I did in my stuff today Dad made You proud. If I didn't please fix it up. I'm not all that good with some stuff yet, and I will get better. But, give me a heart to do what I can, and please, please, please do what I couldn't today.

I love You so much, Daddy.
Thanks for Loving me so much more.

Your Kid,

Bud

Prayers for Today

2005-02-03T21:59:00.000-05:00

Hey, Dad?

I just wanna visit with You for a bit.

I was really glad that I got a whole day, today. I think it went okay. I got kinda mad a couple of times. I am not doing real well with this whole "control of my circumstances" deal. I'm tryin' really hard, but it is really gettin' tense here in my world.

I got mad on the phone today with this really cranky lady that felt like I really needed to spend money on what she was getting paid to sell. Now, Daddy, you know I've done that job in my life, so I think I have some understanding about what kind of pressure she, and all the other folks that are working there, are under. But, she just wasn't nice. I was on another call, and I really felt like I was being unnecessarily interrupted. I wasn't ugly with her or anything. In fact, I spoke to her just like I would have hoped someone would speak to me if I was in her shoes. I finally asked her to call me back later. By the time I got off with her, the other call was gone, and then I got mad.

I'm sorry, Daddy. I know that she didn't feel bad from me. I know she probably didn't give it a second thought. But, what if that was one of those Jabez appointments? I had the opportunity to show You to her, and I really don't think I did a real good job of it. It's only because my heart wasn't in Your hands, it was in mine. I was nice and stuff, but my head just wasn't in it. Actually, it was because I was in the middle of a verbal combat exercise with my friend, and I was already all agitated when she "beeped in" on the conversation. I spent about five minutes with her, but my heart was felin' pretty ugly, and I'm really sorry.

I felt like my friend was just using me, today. I kinda hoped he wanted to share some time in my world, and discovered he just didn't want to eat alone. I told him I had already eaten, and you know that isn't the truth. I was just mad at him because I felt like I was being used. Sometimes, I wish people would wonder about what I need, instead of always feeling like my purpose in the World is to deal with their needs. I told him to grab some food on the way over, and come spend some time. I was getting ready to bake some brownies. You KNOW how much I love those, Daddy. He goes into twenty questions about how I make my brownies, because he told me he "is really picky about eating other people's food". Do I put icing on 'em (he hates icing, and won't eat any brownie that has icing on it!) He wanted to know what brand of mix I use (mix?) and kept goin' on and on until I was really sorry I mentioned it. I just wanted to spend some time with my friend. He said he was going to get some food and go to bed, and didn't have time to come over. I told him he was gonna come over to get me, and he said that that was just because he didn't wanna eat alone. It made me feel really bad. I just don't think friends should do that to each other. It makes me feel cheap, and used.

I guess You know all about that, though, don't ya? All us kids down here sending up our lists of things we expect You to do while we go on with our own agendas. We think it is all about us. When things don't turn out like we dictate the list, we figure You are the one that failed. You know my heart, Daddy. I don't complain (much). I don't think I did too good today with these things, and I hope You will just let me be a good kid, with a couple of bad results.

Daddy, you know my friend Michael? Not the GCO one, my friend Michael at school. He is trying so hard to figure out stuff, and You have really been cool about being with him. Well, he wanted his friend to go to an Intervarsity church group meeting with him tonite, but the guy didn't want to--he wanted to get drunk instead. Michael got mad about it, and almost didn't go himself. I told him his part was in making the offer to his friend. That is how you, sometimes, first start getting into one of us kids' lives, just because someone puts someone else kinda close to You. I hope you will touch Michael, and his friend too. Let him know that, regardless of how he feels about things, You won't be too far away when he's ready. And, Daddy, give Michael a super duper dose of the kind of patience that you have. Let him know that a "no" just for today isn't a "no" forever. Give Michael the courage to be his friend, and not get all caught up in the judgement thing. Maybe next week, his friend won't feel so "ambushed" and will walk to the group with Michael, and won't feel like he's being "dragged" into one of those "Christian" wierdo thingeys.

Daddy, I am really gettin' in a jam with all the stuff on my plate. I need for You to help me know what to do. Am I doing what You want me to do? Am I being stubborn and hard hearted about this whole money/work/choices thing? Please, Daddy, help me to figure out how I am to be in Your will with all this stuff. Show me, clearly, how You will be glorified by puttin' my feet in the right direction. I know You will. If you can't calm the storm, please calm me in it.

I keep remembering Kathy. She's really got some stuff happening in her world that is big stuff. Love her good, Daddy. She is so cool. And she does so love you. You put Toni right beside her and that is just so nice. That was a really good thing You did there. And, Michael and Mel, too. Michael is really sooo one of Your kids. He's really doing a tough thing well. Goose him a little bit with a moment of just being with Him, and tell Him that You love him, and so do we.

Daddy? Brandon is in my heart today. Would you be with him, too? It seems like so many of us are finally getting the point, and things are just about to bust loose. Give us the patience to wait on Your plan, and to be fully committed to it as You show us what to do.

I hope You realize that, because of that talk we had the other day, I got some kids together for this little class thingey. In this moment, Dad, visit their hearts. Give them peace, and the loving grace and mercy that will let them hear what You would have to say to them. You do that so good. Bless them in a large way, Dad. Even now.

Sorry for the vent, Dad. But I do know that it doesn't scare You. Help me not to be scared, too. You are my Dad, and I love you more than anything this life has to offer. Until I get home, please measure my steps. Bless me, indeed with the security that I am Yours, and let me be a real witness to everyone that You are real. Enlarge my territory, to include this little course, and let those that do it are forever changed in a remarkable way. Expand my borders to include the words of the lessons, the thoughts of my heart, and my willingness to just be the deliverer of what You would have each of them know. It's not a big deal because it's mine--it's not. It's all about You, and it's yours! I give it to you, again. Even now. Fill it with Your Presence, and Your purpose, and Your Power. Let the course stand as an undeniable witness of the truth and power of Your Love, and Your Grace, and Your Mercy as we, together with You, take a little look at how we can best talk with You, and learn to jump up in Your lap just any old time, and share some time just being Your kid.

Thanks, Dad. I w.....Sir?

Aww, Dad. Yes Sir, I know You love me, too. It's really great to learn, every single day, just how much. I never get tired of Your hugs, and your smiles, Dad. I'm sorry I wasn't as good today as I should have been, or could have been. I did what I could, Dad. Please, oh please, oh please, do what I couldn't.

I love You Dad.

Your kid,

Bud

2005-02-03T10:15:00.000-05:00

" Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in pain.' And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!' So God granted him what he requested." (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) NJKV

I have agreed to teach an online course of study which is entitled "Towards More Effective Prayer". I will be serving as the facilitator for participants of the course for a total of ten weeks. The course will run for nine weeks, with a course wrap-up during the final week. If everything goes well, we may endeavor to create a second course that delves more into specifics of prayer--more in-depth stuff.

This Journal is my response to a request I made of the other participants in the course, in the first course material I sent to them. (Not only am I facilitating the course, but I am also a participant. )

During the beginning, or "Zero" Week of this little course, I asked all students to initiate a new Prayer Journal. I suggested to them that one way of doing that was by the creation of an on-line Journal. Paper Journals are fine--I just spend most of my waking hours sitting in front of a computer. My access to this format is much more immediate and useable for me. This, then, is a Journal of Prayer for me.

What may surprise my fellow participants in the course is that I will also use this site for additional purposes, as well. I may hide assignments here, or respond to written requests for help here, or provide useful course resources here. One of the secrets of effective prayer is digging down deep. Another is searching for understanding, meaning, and context. The participants already know that there will be writing in the course, via assignments that must be completed and returned to me via email. But, I will also reflect on my thoughts along this little journey here, too. Fellow students will be able to read my entries, and post comments here. I hope they do.

What is it that makes me feel qualified to teach anyone anything about effective prayer?

That is a great question. I'll see if I can come up with an equal answer.

Prayer has been a faithful friend to me for a very long time. This particular prayer ("The Prayer of Jabez") has been with me almost longer than any other. I have been praying along the guidelines this particular prayer offers for over thirty five years now. The only prayer I have been using longer, prayer-wise, is "The Lord's Prayer", which I have known and used personally for over forty-five years. I have, for many years now, found that prayer is the most effective tool I have to maintain my life. It illuminates my faith. It empowers my living. It is, daily, my conversation with the God of Creation. It is not the ONLY communication we share, but without prayer I am convinced there would be no other communication with God, whom I very generally refer to as "Dad", or "Daddy". Prayer keeps me focused on things that matter to God, as well as things that matter to me. Prayer answers those questions, large and small, that fill the confines of a life lived. Prayer allows me to live that life more fully, and completely. Prayer gets, and keeps, me centered in my Father's Will for my living today.

My attitude towards prayer is holy, yet as comfortable to me as the wearing of an old shirt. And, while this alone does not entitle me to be some kind of "grand master of prayer", I can tell you without fear of successful contradiction that I have seen prayer work in my life, directly. I have also seen prayer most-fervent fail. I think I have some understanding why, and that is what I wish to share. What the Instructor of the course (God) will share individually and with the entire group is not my business, but it is my concern. I wish to enable my fellow participants. I hope to increase their faith, and to give them hope. I hope to show them His love in a way that will, forever change their journey, at least as much as it has changed mine.

To a large degree, the love I know from Dad is through prayer. The course will walk through the book by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson entitled "The Prayer of Jabez" (Sub titled: Breaking Through To The Blessed Life). We will use Scripture, too. As you may know, there has recently been a raging controversy over the Jabez book, the Author, and anyone who ever bought it. Almost 10 million copies have been sold, and almost 1,000 of them are available for purchase (used) at Amazon.com this morning. That, to me, is a fair indication of the controversy. Why this book, in a course on more effective prayer? And why use Scripture from the Holy Bible?

I use the book because of its subtitle. I pray to Dad to be blessed, and to be a blessing. That is what my life has been, is now, and will always be about! In every endeavor, every journey, and every adventure of my life to date, those two items have been right at the top of my list. Those are the things that I pray for. I pray for God's Blessing on and in my life each and every day. I pray that God would use me, centered in His Will, to be a Blessing to the entire World, every day. I do this because the Bible tells me that is what God wants, needs, and commands me to do. I am a Christian. I am (I have recently been informed) a fundamental Christian in that I do know that I know the Bible IS the Word of God. The Book has been God-initiated, God-inspired, and God-breathed. I believe it fully to be the entire revelation of God, by God himself, to every one of his Children. I believe that it is literally "the Word of God". And that, they tell me, makes me a fundamentalist Christian. I happen to disagree, but it really is not of any significance. I believe that God Himself set out to find the persons, give them His Word, and cause them to write them down--simply because God knew I was gonna be coming along down the road of Eternity, and would very desperately need that Word. I really do believe that.

I also believe that man, through his own desire to be something greater than he should rightfully be, has spent many years mis-translating and mis-interpreting this same Holy Word to suit his own needs, purposes, and desires. I believe that there is sufficient evidence to categorically prove this beyond any reasonable doubt. But the proof is not readily found without digging, and the mis-interpretations will not show themselves without a practiced eye to see them. God has not hidden his words in a book! Man has hidden God's words for his own designs, purposes and desires. It may have been the need of one group to grow in numbers. It may have been one man's refusal to face his own sin. It may have been one nation holding itself superior to another. All these and even more reasons are valid proofs that man has taken this Holy Book and used it to batter, maim, and kill millions of his fellow men. So let us not look with scorn to other faiths that have done the same. We taught them how to do it. In America, there are more bibles than there are people! By more than three to one. There are countless (more than 120 the last time I checked) "versions" or "Translations" of the Bible. Is God so confusing that we need this? Is God so distant that we must be constantly re-interpreting the very Words He ordained? Well, maybe.

You see, I believe the Bible is NOT about giving answers to our questions. The Bible is about teaching us how to ask better questions. It is an open book, with lots and lots of white space. The white space is there to serve as a working space. God can say "I love you, (fill in your name here) and to everyone within 2,000 miles of you, simultaneously. And you will only hear your name. Think of it! Well, you wonder how He can do that? Yo! He's God!!

Another example, if you are willing. You go to Church on Sunday, right? When you "recite" the Lord's Prayer together (in unison), do you really believe that every single person there with you is saying the same thing? In the same way? At the same time? Do you? Really? I mean, of course you learn where that group likes the pauses, and the whole "debtor vs. trespass" thing, for sure. But, if every voice lifting those words up simultaneously were saying the exact same thing, it just wouldn't be a Prayer in the first place! It would be a Mantra with no consequence other than to your own satisfaction. Prayers are externally reaching petitions that leave us, going somewhere. Mantras are internal defining chants that stay within us. That's what they were designed for! When you recite, corporately, The Lord's Prayer, every voice is lifted at the same time, and the same words are heard--by humans. That is the first dimension to prayer, not the last one! When I say "Thy Will be done on Earth..." God knows precisely what I mean when I say it. It is necessarily different than what you mean when you say it. God does not pay any more attention to the words that you say than you understand the babbling of your very own two month old child! But He does hear what you mean. Every time, without exemption, exception, or dispensation.

For all eternity, God has given us the recipe for effective prayer. He has told us in His Word those prayers that he hears, those that He answers, those that He honors, those that He discounts, and those that He honors with the answers we request, just as we request them.

The purpse of this course is to discover what that paragraph just completed is all about. We, as believers and followers of Christ simply must understand these truths. And, we must agree to incorporate them in our daily living, moment by moment.

I believe, with all my heart, that if we look at some effective prayers, we may just come to understand a little better this whole prayer thing. How do we know? We must dig, deeply. The answers are not hidden, yet they are sometimes difficult to understand. The answers are not wrapped in deep theological nonsense, yet we miss them because they are simple. And, simple is always good to God. We are the ones that complicate things of God, not God. So, let's get to digging, and see the wonders of God, the Creator of the Universe in our lives, even today, shall we?

Hey, Dad? It's just me. I just wanted to thank You for allowing me to be with You today down here. Thanks for walking with me, and for showing me the really amazing things of Your World. I really love being with You, and talking with You, and learning more of You, and from You. Thanks for letting me hang out with some really nice people, and sharing with them the really neat stuff that You have shown me over the past little while. I hope that You will help me show them the right things--the things You would show them. And, Dad? Thanks for loving me that much. You are the very best! I love You Dad. Your kid, Bud